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The Face of Good Governance Nigeria (FOGGN) has expressed its commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Director-General of FOGGN, Sonia Joy Okochichi, alongside other stakeholders, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the President during a road walk in Abuja.

Okochichi said the group’s support for the administration was based on the belief that the government’s policies and programmes could contribute to economic growth, youth empowerment and national development.

The road walk, which started in Nyanya and ended at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, drew youths, members of the organisation, and other supporters who expressed confidence in the administration and its policies.

Participants carried placards and chanted solidarity messages as they moved through the city, saying the exercise aimed to demonstrate their support for continuity, good governance and the country’s development.

The organisers explained that the exercise was intended not only to demonstrate political support for the President but also to promote peace, unity, and responsible citizenship among Nigerians.

According to them, the road walk gave young Nigerians a platform to express their views on national issues and encouraged greater participation in the country’s democratic process.

They stressed the need for sustained youth involvement in governance and national development, noting that young Nigerians have important roles to play in shaping the country’s future.

Okochichi and other stakeholders called on youths to remain committed to Nigeria’s progress and to participate constructively in the democratic process.

Representatives of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development and the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group commended participants for their commitment and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.

They said initiatives that encourage youth participation in national affairs could create more opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

The representatives also urged young people to remain peaceful and law-abiding while actively participating in programmes and initiatives that promote national unity and development.

At the Federal Secretariat, where the road walk ended, participants reiterated their support for the President and called for sustained efforts to address the country’s development challenges.

FOGGN said it would continue to engage Nigerians, particularly youths, on issues of governance and development while mobilising support for its preferred political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Branch, has congratulated the university administration on the institution’s improved performance in the July 2026 Webometrics Global Ranking.

In a statement signed by the ASUU-OOU Chairperson, Yinusa Olumuyiwa Ganiyu, the union commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola, and his management team for what it described as an impressive achievement, reflecting the university’s growing academic productivity, research output, digital visibility and global recognition.

ASUU-OOU said the latest ranking was a testament to the collective efforts of the university’s management, staff and students over the past four years to reposition the institution.

The union particularly praised Prof. Agboola’s leadership, noting that the progress recorded in recent years demonstrated the capacity of members of the university community to provide purposeful leadership and move OOU to greater heights.

‘Purposeful leadership, commitment, cooperation and a shared vision’ were identified by the union as key drivers of the university’s recent progress.

While celebrating the achievement, ASUU-OOU called on members of the university community and other stakeholders to continue supporting the administration to consolidate and further improve the gains recorded.

The union also cautioned against distractions or actions that could undermine the progress achieved or return the institution to what it described as its ‘difficult past.’

According to ASUU-OOU, the interests of Olabisi Onabanjo University must remain paramount, with management, academic and non-academic staff, students, unions and other stakeholders working collectively to sustain the institution’s development.

The union urged the university community to ‘protect the gains,’ ‘consolidate the progress,’ ‘avoid distractions’ and ‘move OOU forward together.’

ASUU-OOU reiterated its congratulations to Prof. Agboola, the university management and the entire OOU community, expressing optimism that continued cooperation would help build and sustain an institution of which all stakeholders would be proud.

The Kebbi State Government is to establish a forest reserve in Kalgo Local Government Area for traditional medicine practitioners, as part of efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge and prevent the extinction of medicinal herbs.

Governor Nasir Idris gave the directive when he received leaders of the Coalition of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Kebbi State chapter, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

‘We do not want our traditional medicine to vanish. I have directed the Ministry of Environment to find a forest reserve for the association in Kalgo Local Government Area,’ he said.

Idris pledged to fulfil earlier commitments to the association, including appointing one Senior Special Assistant from each of the state’s four emirates, and said the government would organise a capacity-building workshop for members. The government had also donated two vehicles to support the association’s activities.

The Governor listed ongoing federal projects in the state, including the Malando-Warra-Ngaski, Koko-Dabai and Koko-Besse-Zaria Kala-Kala-Bagudo road projects, and said more than 2,000 primary and secondary schools had been renovated statewide. He added that 26 of the state’s 30 general hospitals had been renovated, along with 176 of 225 primary healthcare centres, with the remainder to follow.

Idris said his administration’s achievements justified continued support for President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the association to sustain its cooperation.

NANTMP Kebbi Chairman, Alhaji Rilwanu Wasagu, reaffirmed the association’s loyalty to Idris and pledged to mobilise its more than 40,000 members for the APC in 2027, commending the governor’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture.

He also praised the free fertiliser and farm input distribution, and appealed for land allocation for medicinal plant cultivation as well as a permanent secretariat for the association.

Big Brother Naija star Bella Okagbue has addressed her breakup with fellow reality TV star Sheggz, saying she decided to speak out after watching others control the narrative.

In a series of posts on her Instagram Story on Friday, Bella said she initially stayed quiet to protect certain aspects of their relationship.

‘For the past few days, I have watched people tell my story for me. I stayed silent because I believed some things deserved to remain private, but my silence should never be mistaken for guilt,’ she wrote.

Bella said she genuinely loved Sheggz and stood by the relationship because she believed in it.

She added that she gave him a second chance because she believes people can grow.

‘I loved genuinely. I defended the relationship because I believed in it at the time, and I chose to give someone I loved a second chance because I believe people can grow and change. That was my choice, and I own it,’ she stated.

However, she noted that believing in someone’s growth does not mean waiting forever.

She also drew a line between Sheggz’s public image and who he was in private.

‘The person everyone experiences publicly isn’t always the person you experience privately,’ she said.

On speculation about marriage, Bella clarified that wanting marriage was not desperation, but knowing when to walk away was wisdom.

‘On marriage and the ring, let me be clear: wanting marriage with someone you love is not desperation. Knowing when not to marry them is discernment. Sometimes, it takes more courage to walk away than to stay. A ring doesn’t fix what made a relationship impossible.’

She acknowledged that different versions of events were circulating online, but said some parts of her experience would remain private for now.

‘I gave love a chance. I gave change a chance. I gave loyalty in abundance. But even loyalty has an expiry date when trust, respect and peace can no longer coexist with it,’ she wrote.

Bella concluded that she has no regrets but has now decided to prioritise herself.

‘I don’t regret being the woman who chose to try again. I respect the woman I am today enough to know when trying again is no longer the answer. So today, I choose myself. I choose differently, regardless of what comes with it,’ she concluded.

An old video of actress Shaffy Bello discussing respect and how younger people address elders has resurfaced online amid debate over a viral exchange between UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and a young woman who called him ‘Tony’.

In the clip from a past podcast, Bello said she does not appreciate being called ‘Shaffy’ by people younger than her.

‘When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,” she said.

The actress explained that having children around the same age as those who address her casually makes it particularly uncomfortable.

‘I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right, and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name,’ she added.

Bello also questioned the use of casual greetings.

‘Whatever happened to Ma’am?’ she asked. ‘There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it.’

She attributed differences in address to upbringing and culture, noting that even children in the United States use respectful titles.

‘Even children in the U.S. call me ‘Ma,” she said, stressing that respect for elders remains important to her.

The video has gone viral again following the Elumelu clip, with many Nigerians debating generational etiquette and respect.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which coordinated the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has thanked residents of the state for their support that secured the governor’s victory at the polls.

The council, in a statement jointly signed on Friday by its Director-General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao, also appreciated traditional rulers for their prayers and support throughout the election period.

The council said the victory reflected the people’s confidence in what it described as the Imole vision and their desire for continued development and good governance in the state.

It said, ‘We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Osun State for the confidence, support, prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment demonstrated throughout our journey.

‘The victory we celebrate today belongs, first and foremost, to God Almighty and to the good people of Osun State. It is a testament to the strength of your faith in the Imole vision and your determination to see Osun continue on the path of progress, development, and good governance.’

The council also commended traditional rulers for their counsel, prayers and contributions to their communities.

‘To our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers, we salute your wisdom, dignity, and invaluable counsel. Your leadership remains a pillar of our communities, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support,’ it said.

Religious leaders were also recognised for their prayers, guidance and commitment to peace, unity and the wellbeing of Osun State.

The council said the victory belonged to all residents of the state, including those in the diaspora, and urged them to remain united.

‘To every citizen of Osun State-at home and in the diaspora, we see and value you. You will never be taken for granted. This moment belongs to all of us,’ it said.

The council acknowledged that the campaign was not without challenges but said the outcome demonstrated the importance of collective support for a shared vision.

It stressed, however, that the electoral victory should be viewed as a renewed responsibility to serve the people.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, we are conscious that victory itself is not the destination. It is a renewed responsibility to serve, to listen, to unite, and to deliver on the aspirations of the people,’ the council said.

It pledged that the trust placed in the administration would not be taken for granted.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted a broader political realignment in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying more politicians will soon join what he described as a ‘larger Rainbow Coalition’ in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja during an inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT, Wike said the recent visit of Osun State Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke to President Tinubu pointed to the emerging political configuration ahead of the presidential election.

The minister, who has remained one of the most vocal figures in the political camp supporting President Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the development should not be interpreted simply as an opposition alliance or partisan realignment.

According to him, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, with politicians from different parties increasingly finding common ground around the Tinubu presidency.

Wike said Adeleke’s engagement with Tinubu showed that political actors can belong to different parties and still work together to secure the President’s victory in 2027.

‘What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he (Adeleke) is supporting Mr President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition,’ Wike said.

He predicted the coalition would grow in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch for further political moves ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘And in the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,’ he said.

The FCT Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with politicians across party lines positioning themselves for the next electoral battle.

While opposition parties and political groups have continued efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike argued that the opposition was currently too fragmented and weakened by internal crises to constitute a serious threat to Tinubu.

He dismissed the notion of a clearly defined ‘leading opposition’ party, insisting that the political landscape had changed considerably.

‘When you say opposition, I’ve told you I don’t know what you call opposition, as far as there is no opposition now,’ he said.

The minister also took a swipe at members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who, according to him, have claimed credit for Adeleke’s electoral success in Osun State.

Wike said such claims amounted to an attempt to reap political benefits from work they did not undertake.

‘All those ADC who are talking about ‘they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted,’ he said.

He maintained that Adeleke remained a member of the PDP despite securing his governorship ticket on the platform of the Accord Party, adding that the governor-elect’s political engagement with Tinubu was part of the wider realignment taking place across the country.

Wike’s remarks are significant coming from a senior PDP figure who has consistently supported Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, despite the PDP being one of the major political platforms expected to challenge the President in 2027.

The minister has repeatedly justified his support for Tinubu on the grounds of political principles and national interest, while remaining critical of elements within his own party whom he blames for the PDP’s continuing crisis.

On Friday, he again argued that the PDP, which ordinarily should provide the strongest opposition to the ruling party, had been weakened by internal disagreements.

‘Ordinarily, it should have been PDP, but because of the crisis we’ve had, you can’t see a formidable party that you will call the leading opposition party,’ Wike said.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to questions about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, would interpret his interaction with Adeleke and the growing support for Tinubu.

Wike said he was not concerned about how political opponents viewed the emerging alliance.

He said, ‘I have told you when you say ‘leading opposition,’ I’ve told you that there’s no opposition.

‘What you have are people who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant’.

The minister further suggested that the political contest ahead of 2027 would be more favourable to Tinubu than some opposition figures might expect, given the fluidity of political alliances and the opposition’s inability to present a united front.

For Wike, the priority is victory, not political accommodation with opponents.

He said politicians should not expect him to make decisions based on whether such actions would be convenient for their political interests.

The minister’s position reinforces his increasingly prominent role in the political coalition backing Tinubu, despite his continued association with the PDP.

Wike was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election cycle, demanding equity and internal reforms within the party.

The dispute eventually deepened divisions within the PDP, with Wike and his allies refusing to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Since Tinubu assumed office, Wike has maintained a working relationship with the Federal Government and has repeatedly expressed support for the President’s administration.

His latest comments suggest he expects more opposition politicians to cross party lines in support of Tinubu as 2027 draws closer.

While opposition groups have been exploring possible alliances, Wike argued that the absence of a dominant opposition platform has created room for the President to consolidate support across party lines.

One of the projects inspected was the N5 Extension in Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work and said the road was expected to be completed and handed over in December.

He also inspected the N1 Road project being executed by Arab Contractors.

Wike praised the quality of work on the project and confirmed that it was also scheduled for completion and handover in December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

He said the rehabilitation had become necessary, particularly because of complaints from members of the diplomatic community over its prolonged closure.

Wike directed that the facility must be reopened before the end of the year.

‘This golf course must be ready and be reopened by December. So we are giving it to Julius Berger to ensure that everything is done. And by December this year, the golf course will be reopened,’ he said.

According to him, Julius Berger was re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and therefore possessed the necessary technical knowledge of its design and standards.

He said physical work was expected to be completed by November, paving the way for the official reopening of the golf club in December.

Wike explained that the golf club was shut following an internal crisis, which eventually led to the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.

He commended the committee for its role in resolving the crisis and creating the conditions for the facility’s rehabilitation.

The minister, however, warned that the government would not continue to fund the club’s operations after its reopening.

He said the management must develop a sustainable revenue model capable of funding maintenance and other operational expenses.

‘I would believe, this time around, that when this is done, they should be able to raise funds by themselves to run this place. The government should not use public funds to come back to do it,’ he said.

Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue to facilitate payments to contractors to ensure that the rehabilitation programme remained on schedule.

He stressed that the December reopening deadline for the IBB International Golf Club was sacrosanct.

The Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu’s investment in Seplat Energy Plc has crossed the $1 billion mark in market value, less than eight months after his investment vehicle, Heirs Holdings, acquired a 20.07 percent stake in the Nigerian energy company for approximately $500 million.

The sharp appreciation in the value of the holding follows a strong rally in Seplat’s shares on both the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE), which has lifted the company’s market capitalisation to about $5.24 billion.

Heirs Holdings acquired 120.4 million Seplat shares from French energy company Maurel and Prom in December 2025, becoming the company’s largest shareholder.

Based on Seplat’s referenced share prices of N11,200.60 on the NGX and £6.47 on the LSE, the 120.4 million-share holding is now valued at approximately $1 billion, more than twice the original investment.

The gain underscores the scale of Seplat’s market rerating since the transaction and represents one of the more notable appreciation stories among major Nigerian-listed companies in 2026.

Seplat entered 2026 at N5,809 per share but quickly began a sustained rally after the Heirs Holdings transaction.

Within the first trading week of the year, the stock gained 6.2 per cent and reached a new 52-week high.

By March, the share price had moved above N9,000, before crossing the N10,000 threshold in April.

Seplat became the first stock listed on the Nigerian Exchange to trade above N10,000 per share, closing at N10,450 on April 14 and recording a year-to-date gain of almost 80 percent at the time.

The stock has since moved above N11,000, putting its 2026 gain at more than 90 percent from its year-end 2025 level.

For Heirs Holdings, the sustained appreciation has effectively transformed the $500 million acquisition into a holding worth about $1 billion at the referenced market prices.

The rise in Seplat’s share price has coincided with a significant expansion in the company’s underlying business following its acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).

The transaction transformed Seplat’s production scale and significantly expanded its offshore portfolio.

The impact was evident in the company’s 2025 financial performance, its first full year reflecting the enlarged asset base.

Revenue increased 144 percent to $2.73 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 137 percent to $1.28 billion.

Operating cash flow increased 276 percent to $1.17 billion, while net debt declined 25 percent to $673.3 million.

Seplat also increased its total dividend for 2025 by 52 percent to 25 cents per share.

The company’s 2026 performance has further strengthened the case for the market’s rerating.

In the first half of 2026, Seplat generated N2.50 trillion in revenue, while profit before tax rose 74 percent to N790.4 billion.

Profit after tax increased sharply from N42.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2025 to N225.5 billion.

The company also continued to strengthen its balance sheet.

Interest-bearing borrowings declined from about N1.44 trillion at the end of 2025 to N1.11 trillion by June, while cash increased to N598.3 billion.

The combination of higher earnings, stronger cash generation and lower leverage has provided additional support for the market’s more bullish assessment of the company.

Seplat’s enlarged asset portfolio has also translated into higher production.

Average working-interest production reached 139,509 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the first half of 2026, compared with 134,492 boepd a year earlier.

Offshore assets accounted for more than half of total production, while natural gas liquids production more than doubled to 8,459 barrels per day.

The change represents a significant shift in the company’s production profile.

In 2025, average production had already risen to 131,506 boepd from 52,947 boepd in 2024 following the first full year of offshore consolidation after the MPNU acquisition.

The enlarged production base has therefore given Seplat greater diversification across assets and revenue streams than it had before the transaction.

Elumelu’s increasing involvement in Seplat adds another dimension to the investment.

After joining the company’s board in January 2026, he is expected to become chairman from January 1, 2027.

That would place Seplat’s largest shareholder in a more direct leadership position as the company seeks to consolidate the gains from the MPNU acquisition and pursue further growth.

The development also deepens Elumelu’s involvement in the Nigerian energy industry, alongside his interests across banking, power and other sectors through his investment holdings.

However, the sustained value of the Heirs Holdings investment will ultimately depend on Seplat’s ability to maintain production growth, manage costs, generate cash and translate its enlarged asset base into sustainable shareholder returns.

For now, the movement from an approximately $500 million investment to a stake worth around $1 billion highlights the scale of the market’s reassessment of Seplat since the MPNU acquisition.

More importantly, the company’s stronger earnings, higher production and improving balance sheet suggest that the share-price rerating is increasingly being supported by improvements in the underlying business rather than market sentiment alone.

Two officers of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) have been killed after armed men ambushed a joint security team in Ago Oyinbo village, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred last week when the operatives were reportedly attacked as they left their base in the village.

The spokesperson for the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Jimoh Adeniken, confirmed the deaths of the two officers in a statement issued on Friday, commiserating with their families and colleagues.

Adeniken said the assailants opened fire on the operatives, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire between the security personnel and the attackers.

He explained that the security agencies were ambushed by suspected criminal elements, adding that despite the operatives’ resistance, two of them sustained fatal injuries and died in the attack.

Adeniken added that the command immediately deployed reinforcements to the area to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He said the Amotekun Corps had also intensified patrols, security operations and intelligence gathering in the affected area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of the safety of their lives and property.

‘The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, remains resolute and will not be deterred by the unfortunate incident.

‘The Corps, in conjunction with other security agencies, will continue to protect lives and property and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,’ he said.

The spokesperson called on residents to remain calm and vigilant, and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could help security agencies identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

He said the state government, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, commiserated with the families, colleagues and loved ones of the fallen officers, while saluting their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Meanwhile, the families of the deceased officers lauded the state government and the Amotekun Corps management for the arrangements made for the burial of their loved ones.

The families appealed to the government to remember them in future recruitment exercises into the Corps and to consider other benefits due to the dependants of the fallen officers.

Traditional rulers from the South-West, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, are set to hold a security meeting with Yoruba nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The meeting is scheduled to hold in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday and will be hosted by the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole.

According to a statement issued by Igboho’s media office, the meeting will focus on security in Yorubaland and measures to sustain peace and communal stability across the South-West.

The statement said monarchs from Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and parts of Kwara states are expected to attend the meeting.

It said the meeting would be presided over by Ogunwusi, who is Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC).

The stakeholders are expected to discuss ways of strengthening security across the region and improving cooperation between traditional institutions and local security initiatives such as the Iru Ekun Security Network.

The statement said particular attention would be given to protecting rural communities and strengthening the role of traditional rulers in local security, given their proximity to communities and their roles in preventing and resolving conflicts.

The organisers commended the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their support for the Iru Ekun Security Network.

They also pledged continued cooperation with security stakeholders to sustain peace and safety across the South-West.

The statement specifically commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.); Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; and heads of other paramilitary agencies for their efforts in combating insecurity and criminality.